How to Get Rid of Malware
Updated on October 7, 2026, by Xcitium
How to Get Rid of Malware From Your Computer
To get rid of malware, disconnect the infected computer from the internet, stop entering sensitive information, update your trusted security software, run a full malware scan, quarantine or remove detected threats, delete suspicious programs and browser extensions, update your operating system, restart, and scan again. Change exposed passwords from a clean device.
How to Get Rid of Malware in 10 Steps
- Disconnect the infected computer from the internet.
- Stop entering passwords or sensitive information.
- Update your trusted antivirus or anti-malware software.
- Run a full malware scan.
- Quarantine or remove detected threats.
- Remove suspicious programs and browser extensions.
- Use an offline scan if malware persists.
- Update your operating system and applications.
- Restart the computer and scan again.
- Change potentially exposed passwords from a clean device.
The exact removal process depends on the type and severity of the infection. Persistent or deeply embedded malware may require a system reset or clean operating-system reinstall.
What Should You Do First If You Have Malware?
If you suspect active malware, disconnect the computer from the network and stop using it for banking, shopping, email, or other activities that require sensitive credentials.
Disconnect:
- Wi-Fi
- Ethernet
- VPN connections
- Unnecessary external storage
- Network shares where appropriate
Isolation can help prevent some malware from:
- Communicating with attackers
- Downloading additional payloads
- Sending stolen information
- Reaching other systems
For a business computer, contact your IT or security team before making significant changes to the device.
Learning how to get rid of malware is an important cyber security skill because you cannot keep on using the Internet and be able to consistently avoid infecting your computer with one. At one point, something will give and you will, without your awareness, download and install malware on your device. So just how to get rid of malware when it happens?
Malware Removal Steps at a Glance
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disconnect from network | Limits communications and potential spread |
| 2 | Stop sensitive activity | Reduces exposure of credentials and data |
| 3 | Update security software | Improves detection of known threats |
| 4 | Run full scan | Searches broadly for malware |
| 5 | Quarantine threats | Isolates detected malicious files |
| 6 | Remove unwanted software | Eliminates suspicious applications/extensions |
| 7 | Run offline scan if needed | Helps detect persistent threats |
| 8 | Update Windows/apps | Fixes known vulnerabilities |
| 9 | Restart and rescan | Checks whether threats remain |
| 10 | Secure accounts | Protects potentially exposed credentials |
HOW TO GET RID OF MALWARE IN 4 EASY STEPS
When you contract malware on your computer, the first thing to do is cut its connection from the Internet. This is to ensure that the malware isn’t able to transmit data to a third party like a cybercriminal. Second, an active connection to the Internet can be what activates the malware in the first place. Doing so is like cutting off air from a pest and being able to put in a more controlled environment.
- Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet and Run Safe Mode
- Step 2: Delete Cache and Temp Files
- Step 3: Download Anti-Malware
- Step 4: Run a Scan
DISCONNECT FROM THE INTERNET AND RUN SAFE MODE
Once you’re done, restart your computer and place it into Safe Mode. When you do this, you are disabling background applications from running while keeping only the necessary services on your computer online. Again, one of the programs in your computer may contain an exploit that the malware is using to do some damage.
GET FREE ACCESS TO MALWARE REMOVAL
DELETE CACHE AND TEMP FILES
It’s entirely possible that your computer contracted malware when you unknowingly browsed an infected website. By clearing the cache, you are effectively removing some parts of the malware and the infected data off your computer.
DOWNLOAD ANTI-MALWARE
If you don’t have a malware scanner on your computer, you will need to download one from the Internet. Searching through Google will yield various malware scanners that can reliably clean your computer. There are also online scanners which can also perform the same task of looking for malware in your system and removing it.
RUN A SCAN
Once you’ve downloaded your chosen malware scanner, the next step is to run it. Open the program and press the scan button for the malware scanner to start looking at the contents of your drive. This malware scanning can run for several minutes to an hour. Just wait for it to finish and remove the malware automatically for you.
Bonus Step on How to Get Rid of Malware Even They Install
However, for best results, the greatest thing you can do is to be proactive about malware and never allow it to install on your computer. You can watch what sites you go to and avoid the infected ones. Aside from this, you also need to watch out for suspicious emails or messenger chats. However, if you want to do this automatically, you can install Xcitium’s Advanced Endpoint Protection solution which will prevent malware from installing through its layer of filters and an advanced containment technology. The containment technology will scan any files going into your system, let them run in a safe environment within the computer, and remove it if its malware. AEP makes it that easy.
By following the steps above, you can get rid of malware in your computer and keep it safe from these programs.
How Do I Remove Malware From Chrome?
If Chrome keeps showing redirects, pop-ups, or unwanted extensions:
- Remove extensions you do not recognize or trust.
- Check notification permissions.
- Check the default search engine.
- Check the homepage and startup pages.
- Reset Chrome settings if unwanted changes persist.
- Run a full computer malware scan.
Browser cleanup should complement a system malware scan rather than replace it.
How Do I Know If Malware Is Completely Removed?
Signs that remediation may have succeeded include:
- Follow-up scans are clean.
- Pop-ups and redirects stop.
- Unknown applications do not return.
- Security software remains enabled.
- Browser settings remain unchanged.
- Suspicious processes do not reappear.
- Unexpected network activity stops.
Continue monitoring the computer after removal.
For serious infections, additional investigation or a clean system reinstall may be appropriate.
What Should You Do After Removing Malware?
After the computer has been cleaned:
- Update the operating system.
- Update applications.
- Run another security scan.
- Review browser extensions.
- Review startup applications.
- Check important accounts.
- Change potentially exposed passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication.
- Review active account sessions.
- Restore files only from trusted backups.
Should I Change My Passwords After Malware?
Yes, if the malware may have exposed credentials—but change them from a clean, trusted device rather than from a computer that may still be infected.
Prioritize:
- Primary email account
- Password manager
- Banking and financial accounts
- Work accounts
- Cloud storage
- Social-media accounts
Also enable multi-factor authentication where available.
Can Malware Steal Passwords?
Yes. Some malware is specifically designed to steal credentials.
Examples include:
- Spyware
- Keyloggers
- Credential stealers
- Remote-access Trojans
Malware may target passwords, browser sessions, authentication cookies, financial information, and other sensitive data.
Can You Remove Malware Without Antivirus?
Some unwanted software can be removed manually, but manual removal alone is not reliable for every infection.
Malware can hide in:
- Startup locations
- Scheduled tasks
- System directories
- Browser extensions
- Services
- Other processes
A trusted security scanner provides a safer way to identify potentially malicious components.
Can Windows Defender Remove Malware?
Microsoft Defender Antivirus can detect, quarantine, and remove many types of malware on Windows.
Windows Security also provides different scan options, including more thorough and offline scanning.
If malware persists despite scanning and remediation, additional recovery measures may be necessary.
What If Malware Keeps Coming Back?
Recurring malware can indicate that:
- A malicious component remains
- A browser extension is reinstalling unwanted changes
- A startup mechanism remains active
- The device is being reinfected
- The initial infection was not completely remediated
If malware keeps returning:
- Update your security software.
- Run another full scan.
- Run an offline scan.
- Remove suspicious applications.
- Check browser extensions.
- Review startup applications.
- Install security updates.
- Consider professional assistance or a clean operating-system reinstall.
Malware Removal vs. Malware Prevention
| Malware Removal | Malware Prevention |
|---|---|
| Happens after infection | Happens before infection |
| Scans compromised devices | Blocks or detects threats |
| Quarantines malware | Uses real-time protection |
| Repairs affected systems | Reduces attack opportunities |
| Secures exposed accounts | Uses updates and MFA |
| May require recovery | Uses backups and security controls |
Both are necessary parts of a complete security strategy.
How to Prevent Malware From Coming Back
After cleaning the computer:
- Keep Windows updated.
- Enable real-time security protection.
- Update browsers and applications.
- Avoid cracked or pirated software.
- Download programs from trusted sources.
- Be cautious with email attachments.
- Verify unexpected links.
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication.
- Maintain offline or otherwise protected backups.
- Remove unnecessary browser extensions.
- Avoid fake security pop-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of malware?
Update trusted security software, run a full scan, and quarantine or remove confirmed threats.
How do I completely remove malware?
Scan, quarantine detected threats, remove suspicious software and extensions, update the system, restart, and scan again.
Can malware be removed for free?
Yes. Built-in security tools such as Microsoft Defender can detect and remove many threats.
Should I disconnect from the internet?
Do so when you suspect active compromise, ransomware, credential theft, remote access, or network spread.
Should I change passwords after malware?
Yes, if credentials may be exposed. Change them from a clean device after addressing the infection.
Can malware survive a restart?
Yes. Many threats use persistence mechanisms that allow them to start again.
Can malware survive a factory reset?
A proper clean reinstall can remove many persistent infections, but recovery procedures and restored files must also be trusted.
Does System Restore remove malware?
Do not depend on System Restore alone. Use trusted malware scanning and remediation tools.
What if malware keeps returning?
Use an offline scan and investigate persistence. A clean operating-system reinstall may be necessary for serious infections.
How do I know malware is gone?
Run follow-up scans and confirm that suspicious programs, redirects, processes, and other symptoms do not return.
